These days, almost everyone uses WhatsApp. It helps us stay connected through messages, audio, and video calls. While technology makes our life easier, it also brings some risks. In the past few months, cybercriminals have been targeting people through WhatsApp using fake messages, phishing links, and scam calls.
But don’t worry — by changing a few privacy settings, you can stay safe from online fraud.
Important Privacy Settings on WhatsApp
1. Profile Picture Privacy
Most people put a profile picture on WhatsApp. But do you know it can be misused by scammers? They can download your photo and use it for bad purposes. To avoid this, show your profile picture only to people you trust.
How to set it:
- Open WhatsApp Settings
- Go to Privacy > Profile Photo
- Choose ‘My Contacts’ or ‘My Contacts Except…’
Now, only your selected contacts can see your picture.
2. Turn Off ‘Last Seen’
If your Last Seen is on, anyone can check when you were last online. Scammers track your active times to target you. To stop this, change your Last Seen and About privacy settings.
How to set it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Last Seen & Online
- Choose ‘Nobody’ or ‘My Contacts’
3. Turn On Two-Step Verification
Never ignore Two-Step Verification. Even if someone steals your OTP, they won’t be able to use your WhatsApp without a 6-digit PIN.
How to turn it on:
- Open Settings
- Go to Privacy > Two-Step Verification
- Set a 6-digit PIN
- Add your email address (in case you forget your PIN)
By following these simple privacy tips, you can protect yourself from online scams on WhatsApp. Stay alert and stay safe!
